Hyundai's Sonata Black History Maker, Designer Andre Hudson (Part II of II)

As we learned from part-one of our two-part interview with Andre Hudson, the lead designer for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, it was an  agonizing decision for him to leave a city known for making cars and music to relocate to a state where people risk it all to literally strike gold. Just like the Clampetts from the hit seventies show The Beverly Hillbillies, this brother struck gold when he decided to trade-in the safety net General Motors had provided to begin anew with an up-and-coming automotive company, Hyundai.

Ironically, three of the seven years Hudson spent with the Detroit-based automaker, the trendsetting designer was given an opportunity of a lifetime to work out of  GM's Advanced Design Studio in Coventry, England. This international experience propelled Hudson to where he is today, becoming the first African American senior designer to work for a Korean automotive company.

So now that we've gained a better insight of Hudson's career path, let's move forward with the second-part of our revealing interview with this talented, world-class designer.
-

JeffCars: So Andre, when it comes to car designs, what influences your creative energy?
Andre Hudson: As designers, we are influenced be nearly everything around us. It could be natural, physical or spiritual …but almost always emotional. To be inspired by something means, it moves you in some way. As designers, we create things that function well, but also hopefully move the user in some way. I personally get inspired by the awesomeness of the many things that God has created around us whether it be animal shapes and colors; geographical formations and colors; or simply movements in water.

JeffCars: Are you the first African American car designer to work outside of Detroit?
Andre Hudson: I don’t believe so. There are a few designers of color working in Asia and Europe ...but not many.

The new Hyundai Sonata hybrid is ready to take on the rising gas prices. 

JeffCars: How is the car culture of working in California different than Detroit?
Andre Hudson: Detroit's car culture is focused around products from the Big 3 (understandably), whereas California car culture is quite a bit broader. If you hit up a local car show here on any giving weekend, you’ll see everything from a classic Ford hot rod to a brand spanking new Aston Martin DBS parked next to each other. On the freeways here you’ll see everything slightly tricked-out as well, whether it be a youngster in a Scion coupe or a sixty-something in a Bentley coupe. They both want their car to stand out from the crowd, when creeping on the 5 (California's highway).

JeffCars: Since we’re focusing on Black History Month, what History Maker would you liken yourself to? And why?
Andre Hudson: I really don’t think I’m in a position to compare myself to any Black History Maker. To be completely honest, I am reaping the rewards of the struggles of many who have paved the way (like Ed Welburn) and past generations. Because of them, I have not had to even hesitate for a moment when thinking about what I am going to try or where I am going to go. You know, recently I made a trip down to Montgomery, Alabama, to meet the amazing team of men and women building the new Sonata and Elantra (mostly of color). My hotel was only a couple of blocks down the street from Martin Luther King’s church. He marched down the very street, in the very town, that now builds an award-winning sedan, designed by a young Black American for a Korean automaker. This is his dream realized. This is amazing!

JeffCars: How has the success of the Sonata impacted both you and your career?
Andre Hudson: The Sonata has been more than any designer could every dream. Everyone wants to make a mark and impact the world around us in some way. This car, and the fact that Hyundai decided to step out and take a bit of a risk with it, has paid off for all of us. And it’s not just about being a significant part of automotive history for this company, but the fact that Hyundai has allowed me to stand-up and proudly talk about it. It is rare that ‘we’ designers are able to have the type of exposure with our work that I’ve had with the Sonata and I’m very thankful and humbled. It takes thousands of people to actually put a car in your garage and I like to remind everyone of this. I have been able to represent the amazing team of people who have brought the world this car.

JeffCars: What forthcoming projects are you working on Andre?
Andre Hudson: Like any seasoned corporate guy, Andre avoided answering this question. I guess we'll have to wait and see. However, besides the Sonata, we do know that in the four short years Andre has been with Hyundai, he's contributed to designing the hot looking Genesis coupe, the 2011 Elantra and the soon-to-be released restyled Azera sedan.

The 2011 Elantra (also known as the baby Sonata) was also one of the projects Hudson was involved in.

JeffCars: How does it make you feel when you see someone driving the swanky, redesigned Sonata?
Andre Hudson: There is no better feeling! And, if my wife meets someone with a Sonata, they will know by the end of the conversation that her husband designed their car. I think she is prouder than I am.

JeffCars: What advice would you give to little African American boys (and little girls) who love to doodle in class, just as you did in elementary school?
Andre Hudson: My advice would be that you can do anything you set your mind and heart to. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Also, stay passionate and love what you do. You know, I believe America’s future is going to rely on creative people. Whether you like cars, video games, architecture, website designs or fashion, it will be your creativity that shapes the future of all these things. Also, as an African American, you bring a unique perspective to everything.

JeffCars: Ok Andre, this is our last question. Just wondering: what vehicle(s) do you currently have parked outside your home?
Andre Hudson: Currently, we have a Sonata of course, in a dark grey metallic; a 305-horsepower Genesis coupe ...too much fun to drive; and I have a little convertible I brought from Europe called a VX220 ....it’s like a big go-cart.

JeffCars: Thanks Andre for taking time out of your schedule to give us an insight into the inner workings of a car designer. We're extremely proud of you and we expect many years of history making automotive designs from you.

To read part-one of our interview with Hudson, click here.